A Tribute to Mr. Ohm Prakash – A True Pioneer of India’s MICE Industry
By Ravisankar KV
The Indian travel and tourism fraternity has lost a towering figure with the passing of Shri Om Prakash Sahgal, Founder and Director of InOrbit Tours Pvt. Ltd. A true pioneer of India’s outbound and MICE tourism industry, he leaves behind a legacy of vision, mentorship, and transformation that shaped the sector for over four decades.
The Indian travel and tourism fraternity is deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Om Prakash Sahgal, Founder and Director of InOrbit Tours Pvt. Ltd. A true pioneer of India’s outbound and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism industry, he leaves behind a profound legacy of vision, mentorship, and transformation that shaped the sector for over four decades.
Mr. Sahgal was among the first to recognize the immense potential of outbound corporate travel at a time when the concept of MICE was still in its nascent stages in India. Through InOrbit Tours, he opened international horizons for countless Indian businesses, professionals, and manufacturers, with a particular focus on the United States, Europe, and China, which he passionately promoted as premier destinations for trade and incentive travel.
In 1978, Mr. Sahgal led a delegation of Indian manufacturers to INTERPACK in Düsseldorf, Germany – a bold move during a time when international travel was considered a luxury. What followed was a transformative journey: he would go on to organize and lead hundreds of delegations across global trade fairs in sectors such as plastics, textiles, machine tools, agriculture, construction, packaging, and tourism helping Indian entrepreneurs witness and adopt global best practices. His work played a critical role in enhancing India’s industrial competitiveness by bringing exposure to cutting-edge technologies and fostering international business connections.
He built InOrbit Tours into a respected and award-winning brand, synonymous with quality, ethics, and innovation in trade fair and MICE tourism. His strong relationships with U.S. tourism boards, convention bureaus, DMCs, and global airlines made him a reliable ambassador for Indian outbound travel. He was also a regular participant at prestigious global exhibitions such as IPW USA, IMEX America, ITB Berlin, and WTM London.
Shri Om Prakash Sahgal was more than a tour operator; he was an institution. In a pre-internet era, he became a walking encyclopedia for Indian MSMEs and exporters, guiding them on which global trade fairs to attend, where to exhibit, and how to expand their horizons. His strategic insights were valued not only by clients, but also by policymakers, and he actively participated in industry forums and policy dialogues.
I had the great fortune of interacting with him during the late 1990s and early 2000s, especially around the launch of Tourism India magazine. We met at several global travel trade fairs such as ITB Berlin and WTM London, where we shared many enriching discussions about the future of the MICE industry in India.
Mr. Prakash was always confident and optimistic about India’s potential in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) segment. He firmly believed that India would one day surpass many European countries in the exhibition and events sector.
Notably, he was the organizer of India’s first Travel Mart in 1999, India International Tourism Mart, with the active support of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi – a landmark event that laid the foundation for India’s MICE growth.
Arun Srivastava, Joint Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, who began his professional journey under Mr. Sahgal’s mentorship, recalled: “He was a ray of guiding light for the Indian manufacturing sector in the 1970s. His work in Trade Fair and Exhibition Tours helped lakhs of Indian businesses upgrade and compete globally. He was India’s first true MICE tourism professional.”
Mr. Sahgal was admired not just for his pioneering initiatives but also for his warmth, mentorship, and unwavering optimism. His legacy lives on in the professionals he trained, the international partnerships he built, and the vibrant outbound MICE ecosystem he helped create.
He is survived by his family, who remain actively involved in carrying forward the values and vision of InOrbit Tours.
Truly a remarkable journey comes to an end with the passing of Mr. Ohm Prakash – a visionary travel professional and pioneering entrepreneur. His illustrious career was an inspiring learning experience for many in the younger generation of his time.
The Indian travel industry deeply mourns his passing and extends heartfelt condolences to his family and team. With his passing, we have lost a true pioneer – the father of India’s MICE industry. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. A legend has departed – but his contribution will continue to inspire the travel and business communities for generations to come.
